KENT STATE 48, MIAMI 47 (OT)
Flashes make one more play; head to Detroit
BY MIKE SMITH
KENT, OHIO -- The Flashes may be known for their frenzied offense Ironically, however, Kent State's ticket to the Mid-American Conference Championship game was punched by a defensive player as KSU prevailed over Miami 48-47 Saturday at Dix Stadium.
The victory moves Kent State to 7-5 on the season and 6-2 in the MAC, while Miami falls to 6-6 overall and 5-3 in conference play.
Down by one in overtime, Miami opted to go for two points, but junior defensive back Montre Miller batted away Brett Gabbert's fourth down slant pass over the middle. That sent the Kent State players and sideline into celebration as the Flashes brought a dramatic end to the remarkable battle.
"Our offense was playing good," Miami Head Coach Chuck Martin said. "We gave them a chance to win the game."
After trailing 16-7 midway through the second quarter, KSU scored 10 points before intermission. Andrew Glass 21-yard field goal as time expired put the hosts in front 17-16 and Kent State would never trail again.
At the same time, they could never quite put Miami away until the final whistle. Senior Xavier Williams broke loose for the first of his two long runs early in the third quarter. This one -- a 79-yard burst up the middle -- left the Flashes holding a 24-16 advantage.
Two possessions later, Miami drove 65 yards in eight plays to pull within one (24-23). Tight end Jack Coldiron's 24-yard score was one of his five big catches that helped fuel the RedHawks second half comeback.
Williams, who totaled 168 yards on 13 carries, again broke loose for a long Kent State score -- this one covering 50 yards -- five plays into KSU's next drive. In addition to Williams production, Marquez Cooper carried 24 times for 126 yards and one score. Overall, the ground game contributed 303 yards and forced the RedHawks to respect the run option.
As it was, Miami -- one of the MAC's top defenses -- had three sacks and nine tackles for loss. Still, senior standout Dustin Crum completed 23 of 32 pass attempts for 325 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions. Those scores went to Keshunn Abram (7 catches, 138 yards, 1 TD) and Dante Cephas (9 catches, 79 yards, 1 TD).
When Glass knocked through a 37-yard field goal early in fourth period, Kent State reached its largest lead of the game (eight points - 34-23). The Flashes then intercepted a Miami pass, but were unable to gain a first down. Glass's field goal attempt was blocked by Ben Kimpler and recovered by Matthew Salopek.
After dodging the bullet, Miami struck back just three plays later when Gabbert hit Kenny Tracy on a 49-yard play. It pulled within three (34-31) when Gabbert found Coldiron for the two point conversion.
As fast as Miami scored, the Flashes responded even more quickly. Crum hit Abrams over the middle on the next play and he shook off a tackler before breaking loose for a 70-yard score.
"Their offensive backs and receivers out-played us," Martin said. "We didn't tackle well enough."
Down by 10 with 11:17 remaining, MU needed to make plays on both sides of the ball. It did just that.
Two Kent State penalties helped Miami move 65 yards in five plays and Gabbert finished the drive with his first rushing touchdown of the year -- a 9-yard scamper.
There was still 10:03 left, but the Flash Fast offense went to work draining time off the clock while seeking a knockout score. Ja'Shaun Poke's 41-yard reception kept KSU moving, but the RedHawk defense stiffened in the redzone. Facing 4th-and-1 at the Miami 15, Kent State passed on a field goal attempt. When Williams got the carry, he was hit in the backfield by linebacker Ivan Pace.
Miami took over and moved all the way to the Flashes 2-yard line before stalling. Gabbert ran three times and completed six passes along the way. With four seconds remaining, Graham Nicholson kicked his fourth field goal, tying the contest at 41-all and setting up overtime.
Two Miami penalties helped set up Crum's 1-yard TD run and Glass booted the PAT. Miami reached paydirt on its first play as Gabbert hit Jaylen Walker for a 25-yard score. The two-point conversion pass failed.
Gabbert completed 26 of 51 passes on the day, totaling 405 yards with four TDs and two interceptions. Tracy's five catches for 104 yards and a scores led receivers. Coliron, Jack Sorenson and Jalen Walker also had receiving TDs, while JAC Hippenhammer recorded seven catches for 90 yards.
Kevin Davis led Miami rushers with 10 carries for 56 yards as the ground game produced 144 yards.
• Overall, Kent State out-gained the visitors 642-549, but had just one more first down (32-31). Both teams had two turnovers.
• Miami was flagged eight times for 88 yards, while KSU was penalized seven times for 60 yards.
• The Flashes converted 6 of 13 third downs and went 0 for 1 on fourth down. MU converted 7 of 15 third downs.
• Both teams were bowl eligible entering Saturday's game.
KENT, OHIO -- The Flashes may be known for their frenzied offense Ironically, however, Kent State's ticket to the Mid-American Conference Championship game was punched by a defensive player as KSU prevailed over Miami 48-47 Saturday at Dix Stadium.
The victory moves Kent State to 7-5 on the season and 6-2 in the MAC, while Miami falls to 6-6 overall and 5-3 in conference play.
Down by one in overtime, Miami opted to go for two points, but junior defensive back Montre Miller batted away Brett Gabbert's fourth down slant pass over the middle. That sent the Kent State players and sideline into celebration as the Flashes brought a dramatic end to the remarkable battle.
"Our offense was playing good," Miami Head Coach Chuck Martin said. "We gave them a chance to win the game."
After trailing 16-7 midway through the second quarter, KSU scored 10 points before intermission. Andrew Glass 21-yard field goal as time expired put the hosts in front 17-16 and Kent State would never trail again.
At the same time, they could never quite put Miami away until the final whistle. Senior Xavier Williams broke loose for the first of his two long runs early in the third quarter. This one -- a 79-yard burst up the middle -- left the Flashes holding a 24-16 advantage.
Two possessions later, Miami drove 65 yards in eight plays to pull within one (24-23). Tight end Jack Coldiron's 24-yard score was one of his five big catches that helped fuel the RedHawks second half comeback.
Williams, who totaled 168 yards on 13 carries, again broke loose for a long Kent State score -- this one covering 50 yards -- five plays into KSU's next drive. In addition to Williams production, Marquez Cooper carried 24 times for 126 yards and one score. Overall, the ground game contributed 303 yards and forced the RedHawks to respect the run option.
As it was, Miami -- one of the MAC's top defenses -- had three sacks and nine tackles for loss. Still, senior standout Dustin Crum completed 23 of 32 pass attempts for 325 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions. Those scores went to Keshunn Abram (7 catches, 138 yards, 1 TD) and Dante Cephas (9 catches, 79 yards, 1 TD).
When Glass knocked through a 37-yard field goal early in fourth period, Kent State reached its largest lead of the game (eight points - 34-23). The Flashes then intercepted a Miami pass, but were unable to gain a first down. Glass's field goal attempt was blocked by Ben Kimpler and recovered by Matthew Salopek.
After dodging the bullet, Miami struck back just three plays later when Gabbert hit Kenny Tracy on a 49-yard play. It pulled within three (34-31) when Gabbert found Coldiron for the two point conversion.
As fast as Miami scored, the Flashes responded even more quickly. Crum hit Abrams over the middle on the next play and he shook off a tackler before breaking loose for a 70-yard score.
"Their offensive backs and receivers out-played us," Martin said. "We didn't tackle well enough."
Down by 10 with 11:17 remaining, MU needed to make plays on both sides of the ball. It did just that.
Two Kent State penalties helped Miami move 65 yards in five plays and Gabbert finished the drive with his first rushing touchdown of the year -- a 9-yard scamper.
There was still 10:03 left, but the Flash Fast offense went to work draining time off the clock while seeking a knockout score. Ja'Shaun Poke's 41-yard reception kept KSU moving, but the RedHawk defense stiffened in the redzone. Facing 4th-and-1 at the Miami 15, Kent State passed on a field goal attempt. When Williams got the carry, he was hit in the backfield by linebacker Ivan Pace.
Miami took over and moved all the way to the Flashes 2-yard line before stalling. Gabbert ran three times and completed six passes along the way. With four seconds remaining, Graham Nicholson kicked his fourth field goal, tying the contest at 41-all and setting up overtime.
Two Miami penalties helped set up Crum's 1-yard TD run and Glass booted the PAT. Miami reached paydirt on its first play as Gabbert hit Jaylen Walker for a 25-yard score. The two-point conversion pass failed.
Gabbert completed 26 of 51 passes on the day, totaling 405 yards with four TDs and two interceptions. Tracy's five catches for 104 yards and a scores led receivers. Coliron, Jack Sorenson and Jalen Walker also had receiving TDs, while JAC Hippenhammer recorded seven catches for 90 yards.
Kevin Davis led Miami rushers with 10 carries for 56 yards as the ground game produced 144 yards.
• Overall, Kent State out-gained the visitors 642-549, but had just one more first down (32-31). Both teams had two turnovers.
• Miami was flagged eight times for 88 yards, while KSU was penalized seven times for 60 yards.
• The Flashes converted 6 of 13 third downs and went 0 for 1 on fourth down. MU converted 7 of 15 third downs.
• Both teams were bowl eligible entering Saturday's game.
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